Through Time She Returns

Chapter 8

She was fine those first few days till-

"AAAACCCHOOOO!!" Kotoha sniffs, shriving even while wrapped in a futon.

She got sick.

"Oh my, dear, how you get so sick?" Kotoha shivered more as the female disciple took care of her.

She hadn't been able to bathe in the last few days. Too anxious to get comfortable with a cult run by a demon of high ranking.

Not that she had seen much of him in the last couple of days.

All she has done is ask for something to read. Her phone hasn't provided her much comfort in this place while trying to hide it. Hiding away from the sun and walking around.

It really should have been vacation and yet it wasn't.

She must have gotten sick from a virus that the people of this time carry. If they are isolated then there shouldn't be a chance of them getting sick. It was basic history she had learned.

Unless...they had gotten sick before and just haven't bothered to mention it to any of their new followers.

"Dear, have you gone to the hot springs yet?" The female disciple asked as she set down the fresh pot of tea.

Kotoha looks up at that. She sniffs back the mucus and shakes her head.

"I have not. Please, can I go for a soak?"

—
This was nice.

Kotoha was soaking for the last half hour. It was wonderful.

"Ahhhhh, this is great." She looks up to the night sky, the area only lit by lantern light. Her smile is small, watching the stars.

It was interesting to see the sky without light pollution, a plane, or even a satellite.

Her smile drops as she thinks about it.

This place is forgotten by the time it's her time, isn't it? Social media would have taken or exposed it for the cult. People in the West do it all the time.

She sighs, going back to soak and fight back against her sniffling.

She should be fine in the next few days.
—
"Oh wow, she looks beautiful !"

"Do you think we can get-"
Blood is on the ground as Douma steps over the bodies of the two male followers peeping on his guest. He doesn't dare to look over but oh how he wants to confirm a few things.

But that wouldn't be charming or chivalrous of him.

So for now, he needs to find out how best to present his gift.

He does drag back his two meals for the evening. Not his go to but they'll do.
—
In the Entertainment District

"You are all ugly girls." Tengen, the Sound Hashira, stated after the boys had spent an hour getting dressed up as girls.

Inosuke grinds his teeth at the statement.

Later that night.

"WOAH! We found a gem! Look at how beautiful she is! It's too bad her voice isn't any good." Inosuke didn't like how much change had happened without any time to track down the demon in this area.

He looks at the mirror that was set up before him.

Damn...he does look like Kotoha. It was creepy. Not that he would gripe about being related to someone like Kotoha. Monichi may have something to say.

He grumbles a bit, pushing his hand through his hair to roughen it up a bit.

He looks like a copy of Kotoha, perhaps mistaken for siblings.

—
Two nights later

Finally! She felt well!

The sun had sadly set and so she had been stuck all day in her room instead of being out in the sun for once since she had gotten here.

"Na na get ready for my show~" Kotoha could hear the rhythm in her head and heart as she began to walk on the path. She wasn't too worried about a demon kidnapping her this time.

Ado was honestly such an inspiration for her. Kotoha must applaud her for being able to achieve so much and it all started with putting more into her work.

Kotoha can only think about focusing on what motivates her to make music and how it makes her feel. She hasn't quite found what best suits her like Ado but she can only hope one day.
.
..
...
It was getting late, perhaps she could catch Douma before she went to bed.
—
His fangs easily go through bone.

Douma licks his lips, his tongue catching some marrow.

This female follower was someone he had been eyeing for a while and he felt it was time for her to achieve paradise.

He must have been gouging himself too much because he heard the sound of the door sliding open.

He turns swiftly and is about to raise his fan, to end the one who has come to see him feast upon his latest victim-

"Eh?" Douma was a bit confused. The scene was too familiar to him.

Instead of being a young mother holding her infant, Kotoha was just a frightened woman, seeing his bloody face and one of the followers of his cult dead.

Then she bolted like last time.

"Kotoha-chaaaaann!" Douma was there in an instant, holding a squirming woman who was already tearing up while in his grasp.

Why was she so worried? Muzan-sama said she was in his care. She was going to live. Why does she run-?

His chin and shoulders are smacked by her weak human hands.

"HOW COULD YOU!? WASN'T SHE YOUR DISCIPLE? WHY DID YOU KILL HER?!"

Douma is confused by that. It wasn't herself she was worried about. It was the same as before. Warning the slayers about him instead of asking to be saved.

How odd-

A Biwa strum and they were falling with Douma's knees smacking into the mattes of the infinite fortress before Kotoha collapsing on the floor. Douma follows her and lands on top of her.

Another unconventional position they have ended up in. With his mouth bloody and Kotoha still teary-eyed, it must look worse.

"OH~!! Lord Douma, have you brought a snack for us?!"

Douma looks up, licking the last of the blood from his last meal to see Gyokko.

He wants to smile but it seems that would only piss Akaza off who was looking at the scene before him with disgust.

With a tick mark on his head, Akaza was already stalking his way, just as he was sitting up to hug Kotoha to him. That's what people do to calm someone down while they are in a panic state.

Right?